140 MONEY IN BEES IN AUSTRALASIA 



bees to fill up the hives, thus obviating all danger. 

 Unfortunately this does not occur. The flow is heavy and 

 the apiarist keeps extracting to relieve the combs and 

 provide storage room. In a few hours the flow of honey 

 ceases from some unknown atmospherical change, and the 

 hives may have sufficient stores to carry them safely over 

 a month or six weeks. The flow of honey will probably 

 not come on again for two months. 



As the stores dwindle down, the queen contracts the 

 egg-laying, and the old bees constantly dying off, the hive 

 becomes weak unless aid is at once rendered. This is a 

 matter upon which every bee-keeper has his own opinion. 

 The author admits that no artificial food is quite equal 

 to a flow of honey; still it is the best thing under the 

 circuinstances. Only the first quality of sugar should be 

 used; some of the cheaper grades upset the digestive 

 organs of the bee and should be avoided. For summer 

 feeding, half sugar and half water by measure will do 

 very well. This should be fed to the colonies at the rate 

 of half a pint per day, to keep brood-rearing going along. 



The greater the scarcity of natural supplies, the more 

 vigorous the commotion when given artificial food. The 

 bees rush out and make quite a fuss, upsetting the whole 

 yard. To avoid this, always feed at night-fall so that all 

 food is taken up before morning. The wisdom of this is 

 clear after reading the remarks on robbing. 



HOW TO MAKE SUGAR SYRUP. 



For feeding a small amount, put equal quantities of 

 sugar and warm water into a tub, and stir until all the 

 crystals are dissolved. When large quantities require to 

 be fed, place the requisite amount of water in a honey- 

 tank or extractor, and allow the sugar to trickle slowly 

 into the agitated water until the proper quantity is added. 

 Always feed the syrup warm. If honey is substituted for 

 the sugar, it should be boiled at least fifteen minutes to 

 make sure that no disease germs are present. Remember 



